The American Dream costs $1 million more than most will ever earn

The American Dream means different things to different people. But most would agree The Dream includes marriage, kids, a home you own, cars, yearly vacations, and retirement.

Investopedia calculated these things total $4.4 million right now. Respectively, individual men and women with Bachelor’s degrees fall $1.1 million and $2 million short of this in lifetime earnings, per Georgetown University analysis of Census income data.

But lifetime earnings of a household with two Bachelor’s degree earners exceeds Investopedia’s $4.4 million American Dream price by $1.2 million.

Given that marriage/life partner is part of the American Dream for most over the long run, this is encouraging.

Also, it’s easy to see lifetime earnings and cost stats like this and feel like “it’s hopeless,” but none of us should ever give up our hope or drive — that’s part of the Dream too.

One thing my wife and I did in our early years was bought a condo together before we got married and before we even bought a car together.

It was life-changing and absolutely influenced the type of wedding (very small/modest) we had, and set the tone for other slow and steady financial behavior in all the years since then.

The American Dream is deeply in all of our heads whether we admit it or not. And I believe it’s attainable.

Do you? Comment below or reach out.